Home Appraisals: A Primer

Purchasing a home
is
the most important
investment
many
could
ever
make.
Whether it's
a main residence,
a second vacation home or
one of many rentals, purchasing real property is
a complex transaction that requires multiple parties to make it all happen.

To learn more about appraising, click here to see a short video or call us today to talk about your specific property.

Most of the parties participating are very familiar.
The most known entity in the transaction is the real estate agent.
Next, the bank provides the money needed to finance the deal.
The title company sees to it that all details of the sale are completed and that a clear title passes from the seller to the buyer.

So what party makes sure the real estate is consistent with the purchase price?
In comes the appraiser. We provide an unbiased opinion of what a buyer could expect to pay - or a seller receive - for a parcel of real estate, where both buyer and seller are informed parties. A professional South Carolina licensed appraiser from CAA Real Property Services, Inc. will ensure you as an interested party are informed.

Appraisals start with the property inspection

Our first duty at CAA Real Property Services, Inc. is to inspect the property to ascertain its true status.
We must see aspects of the property hands on, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the location, and so on, to ensure they really are there and are in the shape a typical buyer would expect them to be.
To make sure the stated square footage is accurate and describe the layout of the home, the inspection often entails creating a sketch of the floor plan.
Most importantly, the appraiser looks for any obvious amenities - or defects - that would have an impact on the value of the property.

Next, after the inspection, an appraiser employs two or three approaches when determining the value of real property:
a paired sales analysis, a replacement cost calculation, and an income approach when rental properties are prevalent.

Cost Approach

This is where we gather information on local building costs, the cost of labor and other elements to calculate how much it would cost to replace the property being appraised. This figure often sets the upper limit on what a property would sell for. It's also the least used method.

Paired Sales Analysis

Appraisers get to know the subdivisions in which they work.
We thoroughly understand the value of particular features to the homeowners of that area.
Then, the appraiser researches recent sales in the vicinity and finds properties which are 'comparable' to the subject being appraised. Using knowledge of the value of certain items such as
upgraded appliances, additional bathrooms, an additional living area, quality of construction, lot size, we adjust the comparable properties so that they are more accurately in line with the features of subject property.

For example, if the comparable has a fireplace and the subject does not, the appraiser may deduct the value of a fireplace from the sales price of the comparable.

However, in the case where the subject has something such as an extra half bath that a comparable doesn't have, the appraiser might add the value of that bath to the comparable property.

A true estimate of what the subject might sell for can only be determined once all differences between the comps and the subject have been evaluated.
This approach to value is typically awarded the most importance when an appraisal is for a home exchange.

Valuation Using the Income Approach

In the case of income producing properties - rental houses for example - the appraiser may use an additional approach to value.
In this situation, the amount of income the property yields is taken into consideration along with income produced by nearby properties to derive the current value.

Reconciliation

Examining the data from all approaches, the appraiser is then ready to document an estimated market value for the property in question.
Note: While this amount is probably the most reliable indication of what a property would sell for in an open market, it probably will not be the final sales price.
Depending on the individual circumstances of the buyer or seller, their level of urgency or a buyer's desire for that exact property, the closing price of a home can always be driven up or down.
But the appraised value is typically used as a guideline for lenders who don't want to loan a buyer more money than the property would likely sell for in an open marketplace.
It all comes down to this: An appraiser from CAA Real Property Services, Inc. will guarantee you attain the most fair and balanced property value, so you can make wise real estate decisions.